Kemberle Braden

Chief of Police

Release: IMMEDIATE           Contact: Officer A. Pecia, Public Information Officer

Date: September 17, 2023      Phone: (910) 433-2888          OCA: 2023-023223

All suspects, and persons charged with a crime, are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Persons of interest are believed to have information relating to a case and have not been charged unless stated otherwise.

Traffic Fatality

(Fayetteville, NC) – The Fayetteville Police Department’s Traffic Unit is investigating a crash that resulted in one fatality.

On September 16, 2023 at approximately 9:21 p.m., officers with the Fayetteville Police Department responded to the area of Bingham Drive and Frankie Avenue to a report of a pedestrian struck by a vehicle. Upon arriving on scene, officers located one male in the roadway. He was pronounced deceased on scene. He has been identified as Ja’Lauis McDougald (black male, 22 years old). His family has been notified.

The preliminary investigation revealed Mr. McDougald was crossing the road in all dark clothing, and a Nissan was traveling in the fast lane. The driver of the Nissan noticed Mr. McDougald in the roadway and attempted to avoid him but struck him. Mr. McDougald was thrown into the opposite lane of traffic. Mr. McDougald was then struck by two additional vehicles traveling toward Raeford Road. The vehicles did not stop.

One of the vehicles is described as a Dodge Charger. The second vehicle is described as an unknown Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV). Officers with the Traffic Unit are looking for these vehicles in connection with this fatality.

This is an active investigation. Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact Officer J. Smith at 910-987-4510.

Anonymous tips can be submitted through Fayetteville / Cumberland County Crime Stoppers by calling (910) 483-8477. Crime Stoppers information can also be submitted electronically by visiting http://fay-nccrimestoppers.org and completing the anonymous online tip sheet or by downloading the FREE “P3 Tips” app available for Apple devices in the Apple App Store and available for Android devices in Google Play.